Tag Archives: aspiration

Do that. That’s where you should go looking to find some true inspiration; inspiration you can touch, feel and that will build with time and show you the path to tread on.

Shooting for the stars and reaching for the moon is what ambition is all about and that’s what we have been taught from day one. But, what about the journey from your “Now!” to get to that moon? How do you learn about the path to take, the incremental steps that get you there, the defeats you need to face before you arrive?

Defacto, attention is drawn to stalwarts of our time and times before. Gandhi, Edison and such famed personalities are pointed to as historical figures to emulate from. Go ahead and learn about them. They lived in a different time and did different things that influenced the course of our past and present. However, it’s difficult to find a constant in the realm of inspiration from them. The more recent personalities such as Steve Jobs of Apple and Dr. Abdul Kalam, the missile man of India also provide inspiration. Mostly, it is inspiration that points to aspirations to reach their heights. All of these people have a place and time in our own lives to learn from, no doubt about that. But, it’s the aspiration of their heights that is the driver more than anything else. And, we all know that there was one Steve Jobs or one Gandhi.

Everyone of us and our own lives are unique. What you do or will do is unique and it’s for you to chart your individual path while drawing inspiration and lessons from far and near as you chisel your own destiny. Mind you, none of the personalities we look up to, set off to say that one day I will make my mark and influence the world. They all set out to do what they personally wanted to achieve, in many a case not knowing when or how they will pave their path, leave alone where they would end up. They started for themselves and soon, many others found a unity in purpose with them, which made them out to be the personalities they are today.

Look for your inspiration closer home. It doesn’t always have to be a towering personality you need to look up to. My kid’s bus driver who makes it on time early in the morning every day, to pick them up and drive them to school safely, inspires me. I am inspired by the teacher who has an extra-curricular activity planned for the kids an hour before the school starts and holds the door open for them to come in even before the sun breaks out. The dad or mom who goes out to win bread for the family against all odds, no matter what, inspires me. Parents who multi-task to provide for a family yet, pursue meaningful careers and hobbies inspire me. Some venture to take on and tackle challenges of the world.

Look around you and find inspiration from those you interact with everyday. Learn from them as well as influence them with what is good in you. This keeps the flow of inspiration fluid and constant. Then, continue to build your aspirations, look to learn from the experiences of towering personalities and tweak your own agenda and actions to get to where you want to be. Following in someone’s footsteps is one thing, but the current times provide you the opportunity to tread and create your own paths and go, discover unchartered territories.

When I am on Yahoo!, I tend to browse through the hundred odd newsreel items on the homepage. Generally, it’s one or two of them that catch my eye to read further. Today, I happened to click on an interview by Zoe Saldana, the actress.

As I read through it, one of her comments stuck with me. She said, “You just gravitate naturally to what your heart yearns for.”

That is so profound.

As a child, you are like a sponge; ready to absorb and learn everything you come across. You start to form opinions, likes and dislikes. Somewhere along as you get introduced to the world around you, you fantasize about everything you aspire to be when you grow up. Through the years, you develop stronger preferences and are left with a few choices that you want to be when you grow up. Later, as a confused teenager, you look around at what’s in demand and what professions are doing well and that dictates your aspirations. By the time, you gain clarity, you are down the path of what you will eventually graduate in and take on a profession. If that clarity comes to you sooner in life, you are one of the lucky few doing something you really enjoy. If it comes later, you would have bumped around doing a few things that you got into for one reason or the other before you realize where your passion lies. In some instances, you have to continue with what you got yourself into although your heart might be somewhere else.

And that is where what Zoe said, so aptly applies. No matter what you do or where you are in life and how impossible it may seem, you WILL gravitate toward your heart’s natural desire. You will find a way to do what you enjoy most. And when you work in the realm of what you love, it is no longer work. You lose the sense of time and effort and produce your very best, naturally and easily. So, no matter how insurmountable your life’s challenges may seem, keep dreaming, my friend and keep trying. Do not give up or give in! You heart will draw you toward your passion and you will be one with it. This is not my promise, but that of your own heart!

I saw an interesting facebook post by a cousin the other day. He, being around 40, concluded that he might live for another 20, perhaps 30 years which he stated turn out to be roughly 10K days. He realized its time to have a plan in place and ensure none of these days are merely wasted. Now, that’s an interesting way to look at the future; 30 years vs. 10K days. Suddenly, things seem to fall into perspective, don’t they?

One of the secrets to a zestful life is having an aspiration and a strong determination to follow through, no matter what your age. It doesn’t necessarily have to be just one or something lofty. It may be numerous aspirations, which are perhaps simple pleasures in life. Some of you, my friends may prefer to call it the bucket list.

Once you aspire for something, to plan for it meticulously, executing on that plan while ensuring you aren’t deviating from your goal, impromptu decisions to tackle unforeseen obstacles and finally, achieving what you planned to accomplish have their own unique sweetness and sense of fulfillment that each must cherish.

Change in perspective only helps put us back on track where we might have indulged in inertia for too long. I believe that such incidents or differed views only help refocus on a track previously treaded on and perhaps you meandered away from. Although, such wake-up calls are necessary, one in pursuit of a burning aspiration should never need them. Constant focus is imperative but, being human does come in the way and that’s where they bring you back on track.

Plan-Act-Realign-Act-Plan

While doing this, you will time and again come face to face with your persona, will be able to review and improve upon a better self, will cross your achievements and cherish that sense of fulfillment I related before.

Not just professionally, but aim to have these aspirations in your personal life as well.

Seek to be a better parent, a better spouse, a better brother or sister, a better friend, a better you.

Much before Superman and Spiderman, there was a superhero in the East; Hanuman. Indian mythology has several superheroes and supervillians; one of the most popular of them is Hanuman. Hanuman is revered as a monkey-god. Legend goes that when he was a kid, he was very mischievous and troubled sages at several ashrams. One such powerful sage was not much amused at this nuisance and cursed Hanuman that he would forget his super powers and wouldn’t be able to use them. When Hanuman’s mother pleads for mercy, he reconsidered the curse and said that Hanuman would realize his strength and be able to use it when he was reminded of his powers by a trusted source. This finally happened and there was no looking back for Hanuman!

The reason I relate this story is to exemplify a simple truth. Every person has latent super powers within, i.e. skills and talents that have not had an opportunity to flourish or a chance to even rise to the fore as a result of one’s pursuit of life in the tracks one has fit in. In some instances, this is a case of square pegs trying to fit in round holes or vice versa. Some have been lucky enough to fit snugly as round or square pegs in the same shaped holes. In those cases, there is a greater opportunity to leverage one’s potential and realize the deserved benefits.

Another point to note; many people live under a glass ceiling which they have learned to accept and as a result, have never aspired to great things; and if the aspirations exist, have hardly tried to realize and exercise their true potential. It’s imperative that you consciously look for and find a motivator, a mentor who will support you to develop and maintain a positive attitude & outlook and moreover, make you realize constantly that there is no end to what you can achieve or impact. This mentor may be your friend, partner, parent, spouse or even your child. Find your mentor, the one who will help you realize your potential and motivate you to strive and excel in your chosen vocation.

Adverse situations or circumstances can trigger positive aspirations and outcome as well. Such an intervention demands a strong personality and resilience. There are several examples we come across and admire but the depth of their struggle to succeed is only truly known to them. Cherish such experiences and outcomes and draw inspiration from them.

There is no limit to what you can achieve! Be the super human you are meant to be!!